Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Let student loan scheme take off now

The Nigerian government's student loan scheme, promised by President Bola Tinubu, should start immediately to prevent indigent students from unable to complete their education at tertiary schools. The scheme was announced in 2023, but it has not taken effect in January 2024, months after students were expected to start enjoying the loans. The delay in the scheme's implementation is a result of leaders' lukewarm attitude towards policy announcements, which erodes confidence in the government and discourages support. President Tinubu signed the Students Loan Bill on June 13, 2023, in fulfillment of his promise to bring back the student loan issue. However, the scheme has been delayed, with many new students admitting to higher institutions while many old students and their parents struggle to pay for fees. The scheme has been widened to accommodate young Nigerians interested in acquiring skills outside tertiary institutions. The process will be seamless, with no human contact and funds sourced from the government's fund.

Editorial Board | Student loans—Government policy. | Guardian | Thursday, February 08, 2024